In Geochemistry and chemistry, different types of samples are used for chemical analysis in the laboratory. While some samples come in the liquid form already such as liquor, beverage, and water, others don’t.
These others come in solid states such as metals, souls, fat and oils, ceramics, minerals, powders, tissues, oxides, and rocks. For this group of samples, it is almost impossible for analysts to analyze them in this state, hence the need for digestion.
Digestion is the act of dissolving these solids and powdery analytes in acidic mixtures.
The objective of digestion is to achieve complete decomposition of these solid materials without losing important parts of the samples or contaminating them.
To aid this smooth dissolution and fusion of powders and solid samples, employing the act of digestion is critically needed.
And there are two types of digestion obtainable, such as microwave and open acid digestion. Let’s talk about both types below.
Microwave Digestion
Contrary to its counterpart, microwave digestion happens fast and it is equally safe because the machines have safety features.
This is why it is one of the highly recommended digestion processes around.
Tips to Note During Digestion of Any Kind
• When choosing solvents, kindly avoid using hazardous solvents such as methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, xylene, Acetonitrile, and benzene.
• Endeavor to consult the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before you use a solvent.
• Ensure you conduct your acid digestion in a fully ventilated space.
• Endeavor to wear protective gear while at it.
• Don’t add water to concentrated acid for dilution, rather add acid to water.
• Don’t use concentrated acid directly on samples. Try to dissolve the concentrated acid in diluted acids first.
• When using Perchloric acid, endeavor to combine it with Nitric acid, as Perchloric acid is highly corrosive.
• Also when using Perchloric acid, protect yourself by wearing functional fume hoods. Ditch the rubber gloves and have on polyvinyl chloride instead.
• Also, Hydrofluoric acid is equally harmful and toxic, hence you need to handle it with utmost care to avoid lung damage, skin burns, blindness, etc.